Bradenton, FL (September 2, 2020)—Following a seven-point loss to Phoenix, Tuesday, the Las Vegas Aces (12-4) look to resume their winning ways, Thursday, when they “travel” to Connecticut to take on the Sun (8-9).

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The loss to the Mercury dropped Las Vegas a full game behind Seattle (13-3), who takes on the Washington Mystics this evening (Monday) at 10 pm ET. It also moved them into a tie for second place with the Los Angeles Sparks (12-4) who play Dallas this evening.

Five teams have clinched playoff berths so far, and only 2.5 games separate those five teams heading into Monday’s action. The top two teams receive double byes into the semifinals, avoiding the first two rounds which are single-elimination scenarios.

The Aces offense and defense have both been among the top three most efficient in the league for most of the season. Heading into Wednesday’s game, Las Vegas was averaging 105.6 points per 100 possessions, committing turnovers on a league-low 15.7 percent of their possessions, and leading the WNBA in free throw rate (.343).

MVP candidate A’ja Wilson is the only player in the association ranked in the top five in scoring (20.1, 2nd) and rebounding (8.8 T4th), and she tops off her candidacy by  averaging 1.69 blocked shots per game (3rd) and leading the league in turnover percentage (7.3).

Angel McCoughtry is enjoying her most efficient season as a pro, establishing personal bests in field goal percentage (.524), three-point field goal percentage (.417) and free throw percentage (.863). She is also one of three other players averaging double figures in scoring for Las Vegas (14.3) alongside Dearicaa Hamby (12.9) and Kayla McBride (11.7).

Hamby is making another strong case for the 6th Women of the Year award. She was the 2019 recipient, and is averaging career highs in points, field goal percentage (.549), three-point field goal percentage (.440) and steals (1.69). She is one of the reasons that the Aces have the highest scoring bench in the league (34.8)  which would be the highest scoring average by a reserve unit in the history of the league should they maintain it.

The Connecticut Sun have been playing better of late winning three of their last four games since losing to Las Vegas, 99-78, back on August 20. Their lone loss on that stretch is a four-point decision to the Sparks.

The turnaround has come primarily on the defense end, as the Sun now have the fifth most efficient defense in the league allowing 98.2 points per 100 possessions. They rank third in the W in defensive rebound percentage (.733), fifth in defensive field goal percentage (.447) and fourth in defensive three-point field goal percentage (.333). Connecticut also averages the second most steals per game (9.7) in the league.

Offensively, the Sun boast four double-figure scorers led by offseason trade acquisition DeWanna Bonner’s 18.4 points per game. That is the second highest scoring average ever for the 11-year WNBA veteran, but she is making just 40.9 percent of her shots from the field, and 25.0 percent from three-point range. She makes great use of the free throw line, however, making 86.6 percent of her shots while taking more than five per game. Bonner also ranks 11th in the league among regulars in turnover ratio, committing a miscue on just 9.8 percent of her possessions.

Joining Bonner in double digits are Alyssa Thomas (15.1 ppg), Jasmine Thomas (11.5) and Brionna Jones (10.8). Thomas and Jones are among the league leaders in field goal percentage at 50.8% and 56.9% respectively, and Thomas (8.8 rpg) and Bonner (8.0) are both ranked in the top ten in the W in rebounding.

Las Vegas is 16-28 all-time against the Sun, and the teams have split the last six meetings between the clubs.